North Lyon Fire, Battle Born Medevac Launch Medical Helicopter Base in Fernley
via North Lyon Fire
FERNLEY, Nev.– North Lyon Fire and Rural Medevac Alliance, doing business as Battle Born Medevac, announced the launch of a medical helicopter base at North Lyon Fire Station 61 in Fernley, expanding access to critical care transportation throughout Northern Nevada.
The partnership represents a significant investment in emergency medical services for Fernley, Lyon County and neighboring rural communities by positioning a critical care air ambulance along the Interstate 80 corridor.
“Providing the highest level of emergency medical care to our community requires strong partnerships,” said North Lyon Fire Chief Brian Bunn. “By working alongside Battle Born Medevac, we are improving access to lifesaving resources, reducing response times and ensuring critically ill and injured patients have faster access to definitive medical care.”
Fernley's central location allows the aircraft to respond quickly throughout Lyon, Churchill, Storey, Pershing and eastern Washoe counties while also improving coverage for Pyramid Lake, Gerlach, Lovelock and surrounding areas. Though it is based in Fernley, the helicopter is a regional asset – meaning there are times it will be unavailable to transport patients from Fernley if it is committed on another air medical transport.
Joey Loehner, chief executive officer of Battle Born Medevac, said the Fernley base will improve both aircraft availability and response times. “Previously, the closest available helicopter was often 20 to 25 minutes away. Having an aircraft based in Fernley significantly reduces that delay, allowing critically injured or ill patients to reach definitive care much sooner.”
The helicopter is equipped to provide advanced critical care interventions, specialized equipment and whole blood products, capabilities that are generally unavailable through traditional ground ambulance transport. Average flight time from Fernley to Reno is about 12 minutes, providing significant time savings when roadway congestion delays ground transportation of critical patients.
“Both agencies view this as a true partnership,” Loehner said. “Being co-located at Station 61 allows us to train together more frequently, strengthen relationships between our crews and ultimately provide even better service to the communities we protect.”
In addition to emergency response, the organizations plan to conduct joint training, coordinated community outreach and future collaboration aimed at strengthening emergency medical services across the region.
“Our long-term goal is ensuring stable and fast access to health care along the I-80 corridor while continuing to grow together as organizations,” Loehner said. “This partnership represents the beginning of an exciting future for emergency medical care in Northern Nevada.”
Through May 31, 2029, all permanent residents of Fernley and Lyon County receive free Battle Born Medevac air transport coverage through an automatic Rural Medevac Alliance membership for medically necessary air transport services provided exclusively by Battle Born Medevac.
North Lyon Fire would also like to thank Fernley City Councilman Albert Torres, Sanchez Landscaping LLC, and American Ready Mix for their efforts, time, and in-kind donations to make this possible.
